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Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Whew! Finally caught up ...

I powered through 4 (relatively difficult) blocks from AmandaJean's quilt-a-long since Monday. Pictured below are blocks 5, 6, and 7 from quilt-a-long II, and another block from the first quilt-a-long. This was really the first time in doing all of these blocks that I got frustrated. Week 5's block was especially tough, and is the first block of all the ones I've made so far to finish noticably smaller than the rest. I hope it's not too tough to work it in to the quilt top, but I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

OK, so I cheated a little bit on that one. It's not technically done yet. The 9 squares are pieced, I just have to assemble the block.

And here's all 16 blocks that I've made so far:

By the way, I am really unhappy with how my pictures are turning out. I thought I had a pretty good digital camera, and I've tried to take most of these pictures in direct sunlight. Is there some sort of light setting or adjustment that I can try to make my pictures look more crisp and more accurately show the colors??

12 comments:

Congrats on catching up! I've decided to finish piecing my mega project (a king-sized quilt) before I get back to the quilt along... I might be doing blocks 5-8 or 9 all at once. Thank goodness my setting blocks are all done, one less thing to wish I had finished.

I really like your fabric choices that you used on block 7- beautiful!

I fully appreciate that you had difficulty with week 5 and the other recent blocks. That one was challenging for me too! The weird thing is that my blocks keep coming out too big! I have to trim them down but then end up losing some of the corners. Oh well! Good thing I am not a perfectionist and I enjoy the learning process. As they say....unless someone can see the imperfection as they are riding by on a galloping horse then it is no big deal.

I just finished a baby quilt that I am SOOO proud of! I did the "Amanda Jean Stipple". First time doing free motion quilting. Despite the flaws that only I seem to be able to see, it looks awesome. You should try it sometime! It is quite rewarding.

By the way, where are the Clancy pics?? You know your readers are expecting them now. :D

I have the best results with pictures either on the North side of the house in the afternoon or anywhere as the sun is going down (about 7-7:15p right now). A little tweaking in Photoshop and then they usually look ok.

Good job on all the blocks!! I am getting ready to start a log cabin quilt with my jelly roll and I can't help but admire how good your blocks look.

For your camera, if you try changing the white balance settings. If you have a point n shoot, they often have settings for different types of light: sunny, fluorescent, tungesten, etc. I always wonder if the camera sees direct sunlight as too bright so it dulls down the color to compensate. Another thing you can do (a little more involved) is to hang up a white sheet so it covers up the direct light but still keeps it bright. So basically create your own lightbox. Hmmm, I am going to have to try that! :))

In addition to Picasa, you can do Windows Live Gallery, that program is pretty good on the editing.

I have no photography tips for you. I struggle with getting decent photos as well. that being said, I think your photos are great. and I love how you have the blocks in a mosaic...your quilt is going to look so fantastic.

I love all your blocks. The fabric choices and the colors are terrific. As far as the photos go...I have not one tip to offer. I can't seem to take great pictures either. Although, yours seem to be way better than mine!